Arriving in Chattanooga in May, 1888 Ferdinand Van Derveer and Henry Van Ness Boynton went to the livery and headed south along dirt roads in a rented buggy. Both had been at Chickamauga, Van Derveer leading a brigade as colonel, Boynton as a lieutenant colonel. Boynton went on to receive the United States Medal of Honor awarded by Congress for gallantry a few miles north of Chickamauga, on Missionary Ridge.

Boynton and Van Deveer befriended a local family, purchasing a handful of Minié-balls from their young daughter. They scouted the land with the idea of preserving it for prosperity. The task was huge. Three months after the initial visit the society had formed a committee, comprised of officers who had fought in the battle. For a board of directors, the society turned to the governors of the eleven northern states who contributed men to the effort.

By November, 1888, preliminary mapping of the site had begun. Still, it was a Union effort. To counter this criticism, the society turned the idea over to the Chickamauga Memorial Association, which held its first meeting on Feb. 13, 1889. In July, the United Confederate Veterans held their first encampment on the grounds. In September, 1889 the Joint Chickamauga Memorial Association held a meeting in Chattanooga, led by Alfred S. Ochs.

A year later, on September 20, 1890, the association was formally organized at Crawfish Springs. John Wilder and Alabama Senator (and Confederate General) Joseph Wheeler served as president and vice-president of the committee. On December 4, 1890, the charter was granted by Walker County (GA.) Superior Court. Now all that was needed was power and funding.

Congress, loaded with Civil War veterans, responded quickly and favorably to the enabling legislation, and on August 19, 1890 President Benjamin Harrison, himself a Union veteran who fought in Georgia, signed the bill establishing the park. The work of creating the park began with a budget of $125,000. On September 8 Secretary of War Redfield Proctor appointed a committee to oversee the purchase of land and initial construction. Henry Boynton, who had grown the idea to fruition, was appointed historical assistant.

By all counts it was an incredible sight as hundreds of soldiers returned to the battlefield to find their position when a specific event occurred. When disagreements arose, a committee voted on issue after reviewing the input from all sides. All monuments had to be approved by this committee, but in January, 1893 only Tennessee and Minnesota had formed state committees to oversee their efforts. With the thirty year anniversary of the end of the war approaching, efforts began to increase dramatically.

Over the next two years monuments were approved and placed in the appropriate spots. Then, on September 18, 1895 an incredible mass of people met on Snodgrass Hill, site of General George Thomas' heroic stand on the final day of battle. Eight state monuments were dedicated that day, and more than 10,000 members of the Army of the Cumberland had arrived at the battlefield by nightfall.

Soldiers gather at Snodgrass Hill during the opening celebrations

On September 19, 1895, 40,000 men and women watched Vice-President Adlai Stevenson offer opening remarks while John M. Palmer and popular Georgian John B. Gordon delivered remarks to the entire group. Afterwards troops returned to Chattanooga, continuing to celebrate throughout the night. On September 20 sites in Chattanooga were dedicated, except for Lookout Mountain's Point Park. This would not be in federal hands until August 23, 1898, when Alfred Ochs turned over a large tract of land that he acquired from the Whiteside and Craven families.

In 1897 Henry Boynton's hard work paid off. He became chairman of the commission, in essence, in charge of the park. He would continue in this role until his death in 1905. Boynton befriended many of the local citizens, who named a town near the park in his honor.

With the death of the final commissioner in 1922 control of the park reverted to the War Department. For 11 years the department struggled with the logistics of managing this and other properties including the National Cemeteries. To manage the properties the federal government created the National Park Service in 1933.

During the 1930's two CCC camps played important roles in improving the parks. On Lookout Mountain they built Skyuka Trail, Fire Trail, East and West Bluff Trails, Whiteside Trail, Guild Trail, Hardy Trail, Rifle Pit Trail, Gum Spring Trail, Shingle Trail, and Glen (Falls) Trail. At Chickamauga they constructed the Bragg Trail, which connects the major historic sites.

Today the Chickamauga Battlefield is a cornerstone attraction for Georgia and Chattanooga, attracting nearly a million visitors a year. A multi-media presentation at the visitor's center tells the story surrounding the battles, and a driving tour takes visitors to the highlights of the park. Unfortunately, for the sake of brevity, many of the best places are long distance views if you don't park the car and get out and walk.
Chickamauga Battlefield is part of the Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Battlefield Park

Directions From Interstate 75: At Exit 350 take Battlefield Parkway (Georgia 2) west to Fort Oglethorpe. Turn left at the intersection of Battlefield Parkway and Lafayette Road. Go one mile on Lafayette Road to the park entrance and visitor center. Directions from Chattanooga: Take U.S. Highway 27 south (Rossville Boulevard) to Fort Oglethorpe. At the intersection of Battlefield Parkway, continue straight through the intersection onto Lafayette Road to the park entrance one mile ahead.